Meta-QTLs, ortho-MQTLs and candidate genes for nitrogen use efficiency and root system architecture in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Genetic Control of Efficient Nitrogen Use for High Yield and Grain Protein Concentration in Wheat: A Review

“…Genotyping of a panel of 254 diverse wheat cultivars and landraces by the wheat 660k Axiom Array indicated that wheat breeding did not affect the polymorphisms of most of the NPF and NRT2 genes [18]. When comparing the physical positions of the NRT1/NPF and NRT2 genes with the locations of meta-QTL for N use-and yield-related traits [11,23,24], we found that several NPF and NRT2 genes are located in the interval of the meta-QTL (Table 2), providing cues for exploring the contribution of N transporters to the natural variation in N use-and yield-related traits.…”

“…As a small number of primary N-assimilation genes mediate the assimilation of the inorganic N absorbed by wheat plants into amino acids, they should have a critical role in determining NUE in wheat. When comparing the physical positions of these primary N-assimilation genes with the locations of meta-QTL for N use-and yield-related traits [11,23,24], we found that 15 of these 30 N-assimilation genes locate in the interval of the meta-QTL (Table 2). Cross-genome meta-QTL analysis also revealed the crucial role of N-assimilation genes in mediating NUE in crops including wheat [25].…”

“…Although several QTL for root system architecture-related traits were associated with N use-related traits [11], their contribution to N use was largely not validated. A recent study has investigated the effects of QMrl-7B on N use and yield by using near-isogenic lines (NILs).…”

“…The genetic control of N use-related traits and strategies in improving NUE in wheat have been reviewed by several authors [8,10,11]. As selecting yield and grain protein concentration (GPC) both are important in wheat breeding, and the improvement of both traits depends on efficient N use, this review will summarize N uptake and assimilation quantitative trait loci (QTL)/genes which coordinate the formation of yield and yield components and N allocation to grains.…”

Consensus genomic regions associated with multiple abiotic stress tolerance in wheat and implications for wheat breeding

“…The decrease of confidence intervals (CIs) in MQTLs, which leads to increased genetic resolution for marker-assisted breeding (MAB) and the identification of high-confidence candidate genes (CGs), is another advantage of this approach. For instance, meta-analysis of QTLs associated with several traits has already been conducted in wheat, for instance, disease resistance 21,22.23 , nitrogen use efficiency and root related traits 24,25 , yield and associated traits 26,27 , and quality traits 28,29 . In addition, meta-analysis of QTLs associated with some of the individual abiotic stresses has also been conducted previously, for instance, (i) salinity stress 30 , (ii) drought stress 31,32 , heat stress 31,33 and pre-harvest sprouting 72 .…”